Co-Chairman of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage Ali Tuncay has announced that the restoration project at the Cephane (Quirini) Bastion of the Walled city of Lefkoşa has been completed.
Speaking to TAK news agency regarding the work that was carried out at the Cephane Bastion, Tuncay stated that the project was financed by the European Union and its implementation was carried out by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
He said that within the framework of the project of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, urgent works needed to protect the rich cultural heritage in the Cephane Bastion, which constitutes an important part of the history of the walls of Lefkoşa, were carried out.
Stating that the walls of Lefkoşa, which were originally built by the Lusignans in the 12th century, were built with the Venetian administration to include the innovative defense techniques of the Renaissance period and that it was an important work reflecting the period in which it was built, Tuncay pointed out that the Cephane (Quirini) Bastion is also an important part of the walls.
“The city walls, which underwent restoration immediately after the conquest of Lefkoşa by the Ottomans and during the British Colonial period, have survived until today” said Tuncay.
He said that within the framework of the project carried out in the Cephane Bastion, the demolished parts were rebuilt, and filling, repair and compaction works were carried out to strengthen the walls.
Tuncay also said that drainage systems were built for water management and a fence was built around the bastion to further strengthen the historical structure.
Explaining that the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee continues to carry out conservation work on many monuments on both sides of the island, Tuncay stated that the work at the Arif Bey Aqueduct near Gaziköy and the Lefkara Hamidiye Mosque has reached the final stage.
“Conservation work at the Tera Mosque has started, a contract has been signed to carry out work at the Alehtora Mosque, and the conservation work at the historical Ayios Sergios Church near Taşlıca Village has been completed” said Tuncay.